CR
[Moderator]
4034
So there's more than just one story here, in part because this isn't a "model" in the traditional sense...
These Lange 1s -- with PT case, rhodium dial, applied markers, and blue hands -- don't have their own reference number and came about in a variety of ways, mostly pre-Richemont. Some were made to order in the factory (certainly by Cellini and perhaps by other ADs back in the 1990s/early 2000s), while others had the hands swapped later, when Lange still permitted such customizations. You can find quite a few other examples like this -- e.g., we've seen Langematiks and 1815 chronos with blue steel hands that "should" have gold hands, etc., again without their own unique reference numbers. The blue-handed Stealth is one of the more common examples.
A thought experiment: Let's pretend that Lange parts (hands, etc.) were more readily available on today's open market, so that owners could make these modifications anytime, by themselves, without Lange's help or permission. Would we call these "Frankenwatches" and look down upon them (unless the owner also kept the old/original set of hands as spares)? Or would we not care? This message has been edited by CR on 2016-08-01 20:34:41
Here I go again.....
Just happened to bump into this..... No, this is not 101.027x.... Basic Lange 1 is always the best by ALS.... IMHO. HAGWE! Ken...
Wow Ken, that's the steel version yea? One of the rarest Lange watches!
Congrats to the owner.
Beautiful.
If I\'m not mistaken I think I saw a similar one on the wrist of a gentleman in the Hour Glass boutique in Tokyo several years ago as well. The classic ones with no lume are ace
Ah, that is Oba-san...
.. and he has had 101.027x for years. Love it. But this one is 101.025 Stealth (platinum) with the blue hands...
Very nice Ken...........
I haven't heard the story behind this model. I know the white gold back story didn't even realize it was done in platinum as well. Im guessing that the hands were swapped? In any event it is a beauty wear it well! Tony
Your guess is right...
Alkis confirmed that the hands are authentic and it must have been done long ago when it was permitted.
Not quite the whole story
Alkis is correct and some hands were swapped to make this But it is true that some were born this way original straight from the factory! Cellini nyc would ask Lange to do this for them as original and back then Lange would agre
Okay, okay.
I don\'t know. I really don\'t. You seem to know better and I stand corrected. You are right and I was wrong. I didn\'t know "where" the hands were swapped or "born that way" was such a big deal. But anyway, I apologize for having made a blanket statement...
No transgression if you ask me
Ken, I\'m not a Lange owner so maybe I\'m transgressing too but I can\'t see how anyone would have a problem either way. It\'s all about sharing information... Pretty cool that Lange would have swapped hands out once upon a time, when requested. Would it ...
Thanks, E! People feel happy with various things. And I am happy to see this so I shared
..it and that is it. Never thought I was criticized for providing information that I knew. Yup, great looking watch. But they no longer customize. Lange is no longer a small workshop, but now a part of a dominant luxury goods group. Totally different comp...
I think you took that the wrong way
If I see 2 of these side by side, I would not be able to know which is born that way versus which was changed by Alkis. There may be no way to know. But I was asking since you seemed confident this was an Alkis switch, to which I asked, what gave that awa...
Hopefully I didn't start a fight here guys with that blued hands question.............
Especially since Ken's passion for the brand years ago rubbed off and shaped mine. For that I am forever grateful my friend! Tony
Hey, my long-term friend! No problem on my side :-))
This is a great looking rare bird and that is what counts! Keep in touch,! Ken
So there's more than just one story here, in part because this isn't a "model" in the traditional sense...
These Lange 1s -- with PT case, rhodium dial, applied markers, and blue hands -- don't have their own reference number and came about in a variety of ways, mostly pre-Richemont. Some were made to order in the factory (certainly by Cellini and perhaps by o...
I wouldn't care....
Hi CR, ...except that mine must be touched only by Alkis, but it\'s just me. Ken
Personally I think it makes the watch a little more collectable..........
Not that it's the most important thing in the world, liking the watch comes first and foremost but a procedure was officially done by Lange that is no longer allowed. To me that makes those particular watches a little more special. Tony
I agree, more special for sure
And even more special if it comes with the Cellini stamped papers since you know it was born that way, very few like that out there with that provenance.
Am I missing something here?..............
Whether the request came from Cellini or from an individual the hands were still changed from the original intention right? Personally, I would have preferred swapping them out at my own request. At least it would have given me the option to change them b...
+1
I really don\'t get "it". I am with you but making such a big debate whether the hands replacement where or when or how is beyond me..... Yup, each his own, I agree. Ken
Yeah that is what makes collecting fun
I dont get how damaged dials are more valuable than undamaged dials, but dials that have faded to me signal poor quality control, but in some brands signal "tropical and worth 10x more" --- we all have our quirks and what is valuable to each of us! To eac...
What's the old saying?.....
"If you don't have anything nice to say then say nothing at all." Whether you intented it that way or not my interpertation of your response was "Hey Ken nice watch but it would be even nicer if Cellini blessed it with their stamp." We are all big boys ar...
What's the old saying?
Try having thicker skin and not taking everyone personally? Be open to views different than your own? Your opinion, no matter how strongly you believe it, isn\'t fact? At least that\'s what my mother told me it\'s a great watch and I simply pointed out th...
Sometimes opinions are best kept to one's self unless asked for..........................
I know your are trying to spin this but there is no need refer to someone's new acquisition as a "Franken watch" because Cellini may not have been responsible for changing the hands. Tony
Sometimes, actually most often, it's best to keep the talk to the watches
let's keep it to watches and our passion for and different opinions on them! (your life advice and suggestions, not so useful ). I have and loved Fraken watches in my collection (like a Bamford), what's wrong with them? You seem to be taking it personally...
I don't know if you can tell, with certainty, if a blue-handed 101.025 originally sold by Cellini...
... actually came from Lange with those blue steel hands or if they were changed later. Cellini sold both blue-handed and "standard" white gold-handed 101.025 watches, so it's certainly possible that someone could've bought a standard model from them and ...
Lovely watch Craig
That dial is perfect for this watch! Wish Lange made this in production, you\'re lucky to have it
Thanks. Luck entered into it no fewer than 4 times...
First, I had a good friend who spotted it on eBay and told me about it. Second, it was listed on eBay only because an auction house took too long to authenticate it (due to its unique dial), which frustrated the seller and caused him just to sell it himse...
My favourite Lange 1
101.025 if I don't mistake but indeed surprising blue hands... Slowly thinking of getting this model precisely or the Richard Lange in Pt ; two different options, both very attractive but anyhow I have time after the latest aquisitions... From the Lange 1...
ianny would love this watch
I love the blue hands, looks like the 101.027x to me at first glance.
Wow, beautiful!
At first I also thought it was the 101.027x till I realized the Roman numerals were raised and not printed. It must be stunning in the metal, the owner has exquisite taste!
Very interesting..
Having had both the 101.027x and the 'regular' 101.025.. I have to say the notion of having applied indications and the Rhodium dial belonging to the 101.025 combined with the blued hands would be my ideal combination. I do love the blued hands of the .02...
Yup, that was inspiration....
... And it is actually in Platinum case and applied index makes slight, but very interesting spice added ) Thanks, Colton!
Good point Colton
I had the X too and the "washed out" feel of the dial after a while is what made me sell it. Looks like I wasn\'t alone. Hope you\'re well!
You guys are inspiring me to look at the 025 and 027X dials side-by-side again...
It's funny, I had the opposite reaction back when I was comparing various models (about 15 years ago). I really wanted the platinum "Stealth" Lange 1 due to the heft of the platinum, but the Stealth's rhodium dial struck me as dull and lifeless under many...
I'm posting a follow-up after actually making this comparison again...
I am posting this for the benefit of anyone who is trying to decide between purchasing a Lange 1 with rhodium dial/applied markers (PT case, 101.025) versus one with a silver dial/printed markers (typically WG or YG case, 101.027X or 101.022). The other d...
Many thanks CR for this informative comparison...
...and I confirm that you are right that this is a very subjective issue as I much prefer the stealth version to the silver dial/printed markers version. Reasons are as follows : I prefer applied markers to the printed ones as the result is a more classy ...
The Pokemon Go of Lange dials
I found that a very apt description! You\'re right - some people prefer the applied markers, some prefer printed markers - but I really agree with you that the 027x dial comes alive in natural light. I read your post and decided to wear mine today, it\'s ...
Hmmmm, something looks different
If I were a betting man.. I would say that is not a .027x Lange 1 at all , seems to be missing something at 10 o'clock. I will dig through my harddrive and see if I can find a proper cross section of dial shots between the 025 and 027x in different lighti...